21 March 2024

Dozens of pharmacies will be open across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight over the Easter holiday weekend – Good Friday (March 29th), Easter Sunday (March 31st) and Easter Monday (April 1st).

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NHS England has published a list showing which pharmacies will be open:

  • A list of pharmacies in Hampshire (including Southampton and Portsmouth) can be found here.
  • A list of pharmacies on the Isle of Wight can be found here.

Please note the different dates and opening times, as they vary. Details are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change and therefore you are advised to contact the pharmacy before attending to ensure they are open and have the medication you need.

Along with minor illness advice and over the counter medicines, many pharmacies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are now able to treat the following seven conditions: shingles, sore throats, infected insect bites, earaches, sinusitis, impetigo and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI). Further information about the Pharmacy First scheme in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can be found here: Treatment straight from your pharmacy

Dr Lara Alloway, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said: “In addition to dispensing prescriptions, our local community pharmacy teams provide expert advice on how to treat common health conditions such as colds, aches and tummy troubles. They also offer advice on medication and a range of other services.

“Pharmacists are trained to advise whether you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional if it is something more serious to ensure you get the help you need, and they can also provide health and wellbeing advice.   

“We would also remind people who are on repeat medication to ensure that they check that they have enough supplies to get them through the bank holiday, as obviously, despite the Easter cover, a number of pharmacies will be closed.”

Here are six top tips to get the best care and most appropriate support for your health needs if you or anyone you care for becomes unwell this Easter:

  1. Please remember - the Emergency Department (ED) is for emergencies only, not convenience.
  2. Contact 111 online and let the experts help you if you are not sure where to access the most appropriate help for you.
  3. Urgent treatment centres in Portsmouth, Gosport, Petersfield, Southampton, the Isle of Wight and Lymington and the Minor Injuries Unit at Andover are best for urgent but not life-threatening illnesses and minor injuries.
  4. Use the expert help available at dozens of pharmacies which will be open over the three-day bank holiday.
  5. Look after yourself – being ready to care for yourself can be a great help by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/ for health and medicines advice
  6. Make use of online help – try our NHS website www.hantsiowhealthandcare.org.uk/your-services for local advice and www.what0-18.nhs.uk if you are concerned about an unwell child.

You can view a map of the all the pharmacies that will open across south east England by clicking here.

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